Lds 1st XI Pld 20 Won 20 Scored 104 as Burton get hit for 10

Burton 2nd XI 0 - 10 Derby Asterdale 1st XI

As the news filtered through that the winners of the Derbyshire League this season would be awarded with automatic promotion into the Midlands feeder divisions, the feeling in the dressing room prior to the match was one of absolute celebration. No further motivation from coach Taylor was needed as Derby set out to put away another opposition in their relentless march onwards towards the anticipated League Championship.

With the return today from holiday of leading scorer Anna Neilson and also the return of midfielder Donna Wibberley from illness, Derby led by Captain Marie Dymond were almost at full strength for what was, on paper, a tricky game against one of only 3 teams prior to today that could catch Derby for the title.

But thanks to an incredible 1st half display Derby now only have 2 possible rivals left.

The returning Donna Wibberley marked her return to the squad with a goal after only 2 mins. But on 16 mins there followed an incredible period of total hockey from Derby as they ripped the heart out of the Burton team.

In just 15 minutes there were goals from Anna Neilson x 3, Taran Badachia x 2 and great celebrations as Kath Lee drove into the Burton area and with tremendous style lifted the ball over an advancing keeper to score Derbys 100th goal of this incredible season, sending them in 7 – 0 at ½ time.

Derby began the 2nd period under instructions to slow the game for a final onslaught in the last 15 mins of the match, but Burton to their credit, were not about to lay down without a fight for some respectability from the match and at times pushed Derby into working extremely hard to keep them out.

Again though the game plan went as per Coach Taylors instructions.

On 60 mins Anna Neilson scored a well drilled Penalty corner, followed on 65 mins by a simple tap in from Amanda Petrie and only 2 mins later Anna Neilson found space inside the area to score Derbys 10th of the match and incredibly her 46th of the season, to finish the scoring at 10-0 to Derby.

Coach Taylor Commented:

From the final scoreline you would assume we totally dominated this match but that was not the case, as Burton at times put us under tremendous pressure, but when we are in this mood we are almost unstoppable!

Each week new players seem to come to the fore showing their prowess as great team players and today without a doubt it was Ali Palin's turn. Her running was relentless right up to the last minute with superb distribution and support play winning her an almost unanimous Man of the Match award.

I was also very happy with Collette Fenney who made her debut from the bench today, she looked as though she had been playing with us all season and played without fear slotting alongside Kath Lee in midfield with ease.

Next week we play another contender for the title in Staveley from Chesterfield, but if we turn in a performance anything like the last few weeks we should take another huge step closer towards Midlands Hockey next season.

Scorers:

Anna Neilson 5
Taran Badachia 2
Kath Lee 1
Amanda Petrie 1
Donna Wibberley 1

League Tables as of 24th February
TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
DERBY ASTERDALE	20	20	0	0	104	7	97	60
MATLOCK 3	17	14	1	2	42	13	29	43
STAVELEY	17	13	0	4	76	20	56	39
BURTON 2	19	11	1	7	48	35	13	34